Other venues might skip requiring COIs or hiring security - but does that actually make it the norm?

In this episode of The Venue Helpline, we unpack why insurance requirements and on-site security aren’t just “nice to have,” especially for venues serving alcohol or operating in rural areas.

We talk about what most insurance companies expect, real-life scenarios where security made a difference, and how to confidently enforce these policies without sacrificing professionalism or profitability.

What You’ll Learn:

- Why requiring vendor COIs is a best practice—even if nearby venues don’t enforce it

- How insurance companies view security, especially when alcohol is present

- Real scenarios where having security prevented theft, de-escalated fights, and helped during medical emergencies

- How to update your contracts and vendor requirements to protect your venue and your couples

Helpful Links:

Call and leave us your venue frustration: (713) 367-1009

Submit your challenge online: https://www.venuehelpdesk.com/thevenuehelpline

Enjoying The Venue Helpline? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a fellow venue owner.

If you’re posting on Instagram but still wondering how couples are actually using it when they’re planning their wedding, you’re not alone.

In this episode, we break down how couples really interact with Instagram while venue shopping, what they’re looking for when they land on your profile, and why pretty photos alone aren’t enough anymore.

You’ll learn how Instagram fits into the wedding planning journey, what content builds trust, and how intentional DM conversations can help move couples from scrolling to scheduling a tour.

• How couples use Instagram for discovery, validation, and decision-making when choosing a wedding venue
• What types of posts and profile elements help couples feel confident reaching out
• Why DMs play a critical role in modern venue sales and how conversations start organically
• How to stop “throwing content at the wall” and start posting with purpose

**Use code BOOKED for 10% off the the Booked in the DMs Mini Course:

https://www.venuehelpdesk.com/templates-tools/p/booked-in-the-dms

Subscribe for new episodes:

https://www.venuehelpdesk.com/thevenuehelpline#subscribe

Call and leave us your venue frustration:

(713) 367-1009

Submit your challenge online:

https://www.venuehelpdesk.com/thevenuehelpline

Kids on venue tours can turn a smooth, well-planned walkthrough into a juggling act of snacks, meltdowns, and distracted parents. If you’ve ever tried to explain pricing while a toddler runs laps around the reception hall, this episode is for you.

Today, we’re breaking down how to handle family-filled tours gracefully - from setting expectations before arrival to keeping the tour focused when little ones tag along, and how to refocus the couple afterward so you don’t lose your sales momentum. This is a must-listen for any wedding venue dealing with distracted tours or split attention.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to set clear, kind pre-tour expectations about bringing kids
• Practical strategies for adapting the tour when little ones come along
• Tips for managing focus, energy, and safety without overstepping
• How to follow up effectively after a chaotic or distracted tour

Helpful Links:

• Subscribe for new episodes: https://www.venuehelpdesk.com/thevenuehelpline#subscribe
• Call and leave us your venue frustration: (713) 367-1009
• Submit your challenge online: https://www.venuehelpdesk.com/thevenuehelpline
• Enjoying The Venue Helpline? Leave us a review or share this episode with a fellow venue owner.